How to meditate properly: everything a Beginner needs to know
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How to Meditate Properly: Everything a Beginner Needs to Know

Meditation is one of the most powerful tools for physical, mental and emotional healing. It has been used in many different traditions and religions to help one become grounded, centred and to be closer to the Divine. In this post I will share some of the benefits, history and teach you how to meditate.

This post may contain affiliate links. That means I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you purchase through my link.

History of Meditation

The earliest documented accounts of meditation stem from the Indian Hindu tradition in 1500 BCE, and the Taoist tradition from China in the 3rd and 6th century BC. Both countries developed their own techniques and style of practice, which influenced the rest of the world. However, some form of meditation has been referenced in just about every culture and religion worldwide. The word meditation stems from the Latin word meditatum, which means “to ponder.” 

Benefits of Meditation



There have been countless studies on mediation and it’s effects on a person’s wellbeing. Studies on it’s impact on the brain, it’s use to eleviate stress and anxiety and how it benefits ones overall health. They all indicate that meditation is advantageous to a persons general wellbeing. 

woman sitting on the floor meditating with her dog how to meditate

Physical Benefits

Meditation has been used to help people recover from addiction. It is also a great stress and anxiety reliever, which we know is essential to good health. Stress and anxiety actually shut down the digestive system and the immune system, among other things, to prepare the body for fight or flight. Remaining in that state, like so many of us do in this day age, is detrimental to our health. The World Health Organization has called stress this generation’s biggest health issue. 

Meditation can also improve your quality of sleep, enhance your ability to focus and aid in better decision making. It increases grey matter and brain plasticity, which improves your memory and ability to learn. 

To read more about the findings of these studies check out this article from Forbes.

Emotional Benefits

Practicing meditation not only improves our physical health, but also our emotional health. Regular meditation helps us become aware of and get in touch with our feelings. It helps to clear away the noise that muddies our emotions, giving us more clarity around them. Which can help eleviate depression. It helps us let go of negative thoughts that get in the way of our happiness. Opening us up to more gratitude and joy.

Regular meditation can help promote feelings of compassion and kindness. Helping us make deeper connections with the people closest to us and the world at large.


TheTrapYogini – Meditate & Medicate Box

from: Cratejoy

Spiritual Benefits

Meditation can help move us forward on our spiritual path. It increases our positive energy, which helps to activate the Law of Attraction and our ability to manifest good in our lives. It is an effective way to balance your chakras and ground and centre yourself.

Through regular meditation you connect to your higher self and can hear the voice of your intuition more clearly. Finally, meditation can help foster a relationship between you and the Divine. Allowing you to hear the soft whisper of the Universe, illuminating the interconnectedness of everything that is.

Types of Meditation 

There are already so many different types of meditation and the list keeps growing.  Here are a few to get you started:

Mindfulness Meditation

Mindfulness meditation stems from the Buddhist Insight meditation and Zen meditation.It has been used in the western world as a form of stress management. It is practiced in a sitting position with ones back straight and unsupported. It begins much like Zen meditation, by focusing on the breath. From there you are to observe your thoughts and feeling with no judgement. Allowing them to flow moment to moment. The intention is to only focus on the present moment.

playing singing bowls how to meditate

Mantra Meditation

Mantra meditation uses a word or phrase as the focus of the meditation. Traditionally mantras were of Sanskrit origin, such as Om, Om Namah Shiviya, So Hum to name a few. Now it is common for people to use everyday words as mantras as well. Some examples would be calm, relax, or breathe. Mantras are a wonderful way to maintain focus during meditation. To practice mantra meditation you are to repeat the mantra, either in your head or in a whisper. You can either practice for a set amount of time or a specific number of repetitions, beads are commonly used to count the repetitions. The mantra helps focus the mind and keep unwanted thoughts from intruding. The goal is to eventually slip into the place between thoughts and achieve inner peace. 

Guided Meditation

Guided meditation is a relatively new phenomenon. It is a wonderful way for beginner practitioners to learn how to meditate. It is also great for experienced meditators to try a different style of meditation or simply to help them meditate on days when their focus is not as clear. Guided meditation does exactly what the name suggests, it guides one through the entire meditation helping them to keep focus. In a world full of distraction, guided mediation can be a god send. There are guided meditations for just about every type of meditation. Youtube is a great place to start looking for guided meditations

Walking – Movement Meditation

Walking or Movement Meditation is pretty much what it sounds like, you walk or move while meditating. Now I don’t mean you go for a walk with your eyes closed in a trancelike state. That would be disastrous. Instead you focus on your breathing, the sound of your foot falls as you take one step after another. You focus on the sounds around you. It would be  more accurately called a mindfulness walk.

Walking in a maze drawn with rocks on the sand How to meditate

Metta Meditation

Metta Meditation is also called “Loving – Kindness Meditation” because the word Metta stems from a Pali word which means kindness and good will. This practice comes from the Tibetan branch of Buddhism. To do this meditation you can sit in any meditative posture you choose. First fill yourself up with feelings of love and kindness. Then direct those feelings first to yourself, then a good friend, an acquaintance, someone you find difficult to deal with and finally to the entire universe. This meditation helps to build empathy and compassion towards self and others. It builds up ones sense of worth and self love.

Chakra Meditation

Chakra Meditation is where you focus on your chakras while in a meditative state. You work on opening and balancing each chakra. 

Self Inquiry Meditation

Self Inquiry Meditation is also known as “I Am” meditation or by it’s Sanskrit name “atma vichara,” which means to investigate ones true nature. There has been reference to this type meditation in some of the older Indian texts, but it was popularized in the 20th century by Ramana Maharshi, an Indian Sage (1879-1950).

This meditation seeks to help the practitioner find their true self. Although it is a fairly simple meditation, the ideas are very abstract and can be a little difficult to explain. Basically you want to sit in meditation and ask “who am I?” Then focus on yourself, not the physical, mental or emotional self, but the essence of self. The idea is you want to move past the physical, I am a son/daughter, doctor, artist, mother/father. You are looking to access the part of self that is connected to everything. The part of yourself that is connected to the Source of everything. Your mind can not answer this question, because the answer will not come in words or thoughts, but rather a deep understanding and knowing. 

Meditation Relaxation

Inner Child Meditation

Inner Child Meditation is a meditation used to get in touch with your inner child. There are meditations to meet your inner child, work through trauma with your inner child, heal your inner child or simply connect with your inner child. 

Spirit Guide Meditation

Spirit Guide Meditations are much like the inner child meditations in that you can meet, work with, or simply connect to your spirit guide. 

When, Where and How to Meditate?

When is the Best Time to Meditate?

Some people swear that you have to meditate first thing in the morning, others insist that it’s best to do it before bed. The truth is, meditation is beneficial no mater when you do it. If 12:47 feels like the right time for you to meditate, then go for it. 

If you meditate at bedtime, be aware that you may fall asleep. It will be an awesome, deep, restful sleep though. 

women sitting on bed meditating

Another thing to mention, if you want to make meditation a habit, it is good to do it at roughly the same time everyday. The other bonus with meditating at the same time, is your body and brain will start to associate that time with meditating and will begin to relax quicker. Putting you into a meditative state with little effort.

How Much Time Do You Have to Spend Meditating?

One of the beauties of meditation, is that if you spend 10 minutes a few times a week, that will be enough for you to reap the benefits. You do not need to sit in mediation for hours to see results. However, it is better to practice daily and honestly, most of us can find 10 minutes of quiet time, even if it means setting the alarm 10 minutes earlier. Trust me, it’s worth it!

Where is the Best Place to Meditate?

While some people have a room or a space dedicated to meditation, it is not necessary. That is the beauty of meditation, you can do it just about anywhere. 

What you do need, is a reasonably quite space where you won’t be interrupted. A space where you can sit or lay down comfortably. It is also helpful if the temperature is pleasant. 

buddha by the water meditation

When you are meditating, especially if it is relatively new to you, you want to eliminate as many distractions as possible. Shivering because you are too cold, can prevent you from being able to have an enjoyable meditation. 

Much like meditating at a regular time, our mind and bodies slip into a meditative state more easily when we meditate in the same place. When we sit down on the same cushion everyday to meditate, after a while our mind and body recognizes that this means we are about to meditate and begins to shift into that state of mind naturally. This is why meditation or prayer shawls are so amazing. We recognize that when we put the shawl on, it’s time to meditate. Then we automatically start to relax and shift into a meditative state. 

How to Meditate?

Finally! The part you’ve all been waiting for. How the heck do you meditate? 

Although meditation can seem quite complicated, and some forms of meditation are, basic mediation is actually pretty simple. It is just about quieting the mind. 

Basic Meditation

  1. Sit or lay down. If you are sitting keep your back straight and supported and your feet flat on the floor. Don’t cross your arms or legs. You want to remain in an open position.
  2. Close your eyes.
  3. Breathe naturally. Don’t try to force yourself to breathe too deeply, it will deepen naturally as you relax.
  4. Focus your attention on your breathe and the sensations it creates in your body as you inhale and exhale. 
  5. If a thought comes in, acknowledge it, thank it, let it go and return your focus to your breath.
  6. When your meditation feels complete take some time to ground yourself with whatever method appeals to you. 
  7. See!! You can meditate!

Meditation Essentials

from: Cratejoy

I’m Not Doing It Right!!

One of the things that discourages so many people from meditating, is that they think they aren’t doing it right. They expect something to happen and that is not the goal of meditation. 

Although some people have had breakthroughs during meditation, this is not the norm.  While it is possible to find clarity, see lights or feel a deep connection, none of these things are actually the point of mediation. 

The point of meditation is simply to quiet the mind and allow the body to relax. 

If you meditate and you mind was going a mile a minute through the entire thing, it does not make the meditation a failure. 

Even the most advanced meditators have times where they simply can not quiet their mind. When this happens mediation becomes more contemplative and an opportunity to release some of the thoughts that we have been holding on to. Which is exactly what the person needs at the time. 

It is no use trying too force yourself to have a specific meditation experience, you will have the experience you need at the time. 

I have fallen asleep during mediations more times than I can count. I don’t beat myself up or complain that I can’t meditate properly, I simply recognize that what I needed most in that moment was rest and my body and mind made sure I got it. 

Do you want learn how to take yourself and others through the process of meditation? Check out this comprehensive meditation practitioner/ teacher course?

Final Notes

For new meditators or anyone who has difficulty quieting their mind, guided meditations are the way to go. It is much easier to meditate when someone is guided you along. You can find some great guided meditations on YouTube or through a meditation app. I also have a couple for sale here: https://metaphysicalmama.com/shop/

To get you started, here is a guided meditation I made just for you. Enjoy!

If you like this post, you may enjoy How to Quickly Raise Your Vibrations and Why You Want To

white flower on a dark background How to meditate properly: everything a beginner needs to know

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108 Comments

  1. Meditation is amazing. It’s amazing how doing something as easy as meditation can turn your life around for the better. I never even knew there were different types of meditation. Meditation is not something I do often. Truth be told it has been months since I last meditated but this has gotten my meditation spirit up. I would definitely be making a conscious effort to meditate more now. I learnt a whole lot from this post. Thank you so much. xx

  2. This is such an amazing post! I was thinking of doing a similar one myself but seems it’s no use now 😉 been doing metta, guided and walking meditation myself and it indeed has made such a big difference in my life.

    1. Awwww! Thanks!! 😊
      I would definitely encourage you to write a post on meditation though. We all have a unique voice and different perspectives. Someone may read my post and get nothing from it. However, when they read yours they are inspired to meditate and turn their entire life around. I personally am looking forward to reading your take on meditation.

  3. Extremely helpful post! I didn’t know there were so many different types of meditation. I usually go walking to clear my mind, since I’m not the best at sitting still. I sit all day, so my back’s aching for some movement haha.

    1. Thanks so much!
      Walking meditations are great for anyone who has a difficult time sitting still. It’s also great to be able to get some fresh air and stretch your legs after sitting all day!

  4. I meditate daily and the points presented are very accurate. Meditation doesn’t have to be a huge show, but a quiet space and maybe 10 minutes. It relieves stress and clears your mind from anxious thoughts. Hopefully, more people will try it out. Thanks for sharing!

  5. Thank you for this! I always feel like I’m doing it wrong, when I know there really is no right or wrong way. I feel like I should be feeling or thinking certain things while I meditate. If I get a quiet few moments away from kids, I will try it again soon!

    1. With meditation it is not about the destination, but rather the journey. Don’t worry about doing it right or wrong, just do it. I hope you get a chance to try again soon.
      Thanks for your comment!

  6. Thank you for this extremely helpful post!! I am learning more and more about meditation because I want to start doing it properly. Your guide will be super useful for me!! I’ve heard meditating in the morning is a good way to start your day, so I will focus on that.

    xxxx Aga

  7. I find meditation to be a really personal and special experience – and it’s definitely something that has helped me a lot over the years. I practice guided meditation on a daily basis with the help of the Headspace app. I’ve been using it for probably 7 years now? And it’s made a world of difference. I’d definitely like to try some of these other kinds of meditation. I appreciate you sharing this information!

  8. This was such an interesting read! I don’t really meditate but really enjoyed during the last few months taking time for myself, doing some breathing exercises and saying my daily affirmations. Thank you for sharing x

  9. I really wish I could meditate. I just cant find the quiet in my mind to do so. I have tried on several occasions but I always have to move. I can meditate while doing yoga though.

    1. Walking or movement meditation its great for anyone who has a hard time sitting still. Meditating while doing yoga gives you the exact same benefits as sitting still. It’s all about quieting your mind.
      Thanks for your comment!

  10. This is very insightful , I’ve been mediating on/ off for the last few years during my spiritual journey and completely neglected it . I just started again and was doing it for the last month everyday and I must admit I have felt way better. I won’t lie I did think that I was doing something wrong or I wasn’t doing enough which stopped me from mediating in the first place so I appreciate you for this !

    1. Thanks for your comment! Meditation absolutely can help us when we are feeling down. If you have any questions or are looking for suggestions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

  11. Great post. I feel like there’s so many misconceptions around meditation and what you “have” to achieve from it. I find so much benefit in meditation. This is a wonderful post for beginners x

    1. Thanks so much! There really is a lot of misconception about what meditation “should” be. It can be really discouraging, especially for a beginner. Hopefully this post has dispelled some of those misconceptions.

  12. I’ve tried meditation, but it’s not for me. At least for now. You wrote a great post and I’ll come back when I feel I need it! Thank u!

  13. Great post. Tiffany! I used to meditate every day for 5-10 minutes but during the holidays, I stopped and haven’t gotten back to it! I usually follow the guided meditations on Youtube so thank you for providing one in your post! My best time to meditate is between 2-3pm. I feel like this is the time where I need to reset from working all day and take time for mindful breathing. Thank you for your post! I’m going to use your guided meditation audio later xx

    1. Thanks Lynn! I love the idea of meditating to reset from a day of work. My house is way too loud at that time, so I have to get my meditation in before everyone wakes up. 🤣
      I hope you enjoy the meditation!

  14. I once was so anxious that mantra meditation proved to be a session of all my anxieties popping into my mind and I hated meditating so much that I stopped because of it. However, I like some of the types of meditation you have mentioned here so I may give those try. As someone who practices self care, I really should be meditating, but I guess I always struggle with acheiving something or feeling like it’s not working. Thanks for pointing out the point is to relax and not to achieve something mystical–though some may!

    1. That sounds awful! I’m so sorry that happened. I can see how that tainted your view of meditation. We sometimes have a habit of distracting ourselves from our problems and anxieties in order to be able to function. Although this works well, the problem is once things get quiet, like when we try to meditate, all those things we tried to ignore come roaring back all at once and can be very overwhelming. Releasing the anxiety before meditation can help with that. EFT Tapping is really great for releasing stress and anxiety. It turns off your amygdala, which disrupts your stress response. If you ever want to try it, just let me know. I’d be happy to do a session with you.

  15. Thank you!! This was so informative and helpful I appreciate it! I have been trying to get back into the practice of meditating if only I could find a little more quiet time!

    1. Thanks for your comment! Finding quiet time has been my problem too. I’ve started setting my alarm 15 minutes earlier in the morning so I can get up and meditate before everyone else wakes up. It has been a game changer.

  16. Absolutely loved this post! I’ve been wanting to start meditation for a while now, but I genuinely didn’t know how and where to start. I’ll definitely be bookmarking this and coming back to it, as it’s so helpful for a beginner. Thank you for sharing!

  17. It’s really interesting reading about different types of meditation. It is definitely something I want to incorporate into my life – I’m thinking a guided meditation would be best for me. Great post xx

  18. Wow I love this post. It’s a full guide about meditation. I didn’t know it had so much benefits and didn’t absolutely know there are so many different types of meditation. My favorite would definitely be walking but I will look up the others as well. If it’s something that can benefit me why not try it. Thank you for sharing…

    1. Thank you so much! I appreciate it!
      Walking meditations are great, especially if you have a hard time sitting still. I would definitely recommend if you want to try some other types, that you start with guided meditations. You can find guided versions of almost every type of meditation. It’s a great way to get started and helps you discover what type of meditation resonates with you.

  19. I really thought I had left a comment on this a few days ago but it may not have went through.

    Once again, amazing post! Meditation to many seems boring but once you understand the value it can add to your life, it becomes a powerful tool for your mental health.

    Thanks so much for sharing!

    1. Thanks so much Rebekah! I will have to check my spam folder for your other comment, sometimes they end up in there.
      For me, I never really found meditation boring, but I have a lot of friends with that complaint. I always had a difficult time quieting my mind. It took me a long time to figure out how to let go of my thoughts while meditating. It was absolutely worth the effort. My life changed drastically once I made meditation a regular practice. It is definitely a powerful tool for mental health.

  20. Wow, you truly put in the work there! I don’t know if I ever came across such a comprehensive guide on meditation – probably not. About 3 years ago I started to meditate through moving meditation and since then, my life has completely changed. I sold my house, quit my job, and moved away to pursue a more insecure and thus, more free life. I had been unhappy for quite some time, little did I know it was because I was living up to society standards instead of hearing my innermost longings and thoughts. This sentence truly resonated with me: “Through regular meditation you connect to your higher self and can hear the voice of your intuition more clearly.” I can only say I couldn’t agree more. Besides, I love the concept of those mindfulness walks. I am doing them every day, but I only realized that just now that you described it. Thank you for sparking my joy here! Love, Susanne

    1. Thank you so much Susanne! I really appreciate it! I am so happy to hear that my post has spoken to you!
      It is incredible what that little voice will tell us if we take the time to listen. So often we get caught up in what we are “suppose” to do and completely miss our true callings. Meditation and mindfulness can help quiet the outside chatter and give our inner selves a chance to check in. Sometimes, like in your case it can have a dramatic and immediate effect on our lives. Other times it’s just small shifts that over time completely transform our life. 💕

  21. Thank you for this very good guide <3 I´m so happy that you share this important information of the benefits of mediation. I use sleep meditation daily since it helps me to calm down in the evening. I also try to do gratitude mediation few times a week. I recommend mediation for all my health coaching clients because it´s such a powerful tool to improve over all well-being.

    1. I love gratitude meditations! It combines two of the most powerful tools we have, meditation and gratitude. If someone were to commit to nothing else but a regular gratitude and meditation practice, they would see dramatic and positive changes in their lives.
      I think it’s absolutely wonderful that you are encouraging your clients too meditate.
      Thank you for your comment!

  22. Incredible. The two habits which boosted my creativity and removed procrastination were meditation and cold showers.

    This post covers so many aspects of meditation. Great job and research.

    I’m sure you are familiar with sam harris and his waking up app. Best thing I have downloaded.

    Hurrah.

    1. Thanks so much! I really appreciate that!
      I haven’t tried the waking up app, but I’ve heard good things. I find that I only use guided mediations now if I’m looking to work on something specific or if I am having a hard time quieting my mind. Most of the time I just sit quietly and see where I end up. 😊

  23. Ok WOW another fantastic post. Never disappointed with your blog! I love how you recognize there are SO many different ways to perform meditation than just sitting and breathing etc.

    Many people struggle to sit still or don’t find relief from it. Meditation doesn’t fit in a box just like people don’t 💜

    Also enjoyed that you added a small snippet of history at the beginning ( I am a history junkie) and that you added a source to read more on the benefits of meditation

    As always, you rock!!

    1. Thanks so much Gigi! You’re so sweet! 🥰
      When I was first learning how to meditate I found the whole experience extremely stressful. Whenever someone would tell me to focus on my breath, my breathing would become irregular and I would struggling to get get the next breath in. I’d start to panic because I couldn’t breathe properly. The more I’d focus on my breath the harder it would be to breathe. Finally I had a meditation teacher tell me that if focusing on my breath doesn’t work, just do something else. The point of meditating is to relax and quiet the mind, if the technique you’re using doesn’t accomplish that, try a different technique. Since then I have learned that there is not one right way to meditate. It is about finding what works for you and that is what I try teach others.

  24. i love how well worded and well explained this post is! it really explains a lot,and it’s very inspirational. thanks for sharing

  25. I’m a chemical dependency counselor and we teach mindfulness based meditation and guided body scan meditations to our clients. They are usually surprised by how well they are able to cope with negative emotions by practicing meditation.

  26. Meditation is like lifting weights. You can’t go to the gym one day and expect something to happen. But, if you are consistent, you will see amazing results. over time.

  27. This is very interesting. I have been trying to establish a mindfulness meditation practice but I have a hard time calming my mind for long enough to do it. It is definitely a great way to de-stress and relax, though.

  28. Thank you for this information. Meditation has been a real lifesaver for me. I started it at a time when I was experiencing so much anxiety that I couldn’t sleep. After 4 months of sleepless nights, I needed a solution so I turned to meditation to calm my mind and it worked. Today I meditate to calm my stress and regulate my emotional overload and I use guided meditation.

    Corinne

  29. What a great article thank you for sharing it reminded me to add this back into my schedule because a day when I meditate always is a better day 💚. Saving your guided meditation too thank you

  30. My head goes to a very quiet place when I run. I was on the road for 1h45 this morning and I couldn’t tell you what I was thinking. My focus is just on my body and each footstep. I always feel so good and calm after a long run.

  31. Oooooh, love this advice! I love meditating, it really helps me stay present and cope with my anxiety. Saving this post for later reference when I need it ❤️

  32. Thanks for telling me the importance of meditating. I wonder how easy it is to forget about ourselves and prioritize other things.

    1. You’re very welcome! It can be easy to put everything else ahead of our own wellbeing, but eventually that will catch up to us. That’s why I love meditating. In as little as 10-15 minutes a day, we can prioritize ourselves and reap massive rewards.

  33. This is such a fab post! I have recently come into using meditation more, and I absolutely love it. A 10 minute in the morning, and maybe a meditation before bed has just made me feel more positive and balanced recently! I didn’t realise there were so many different types of meditation, I personally love guided meditations.

    Thanks for sharing!
    Aimsy xoxo
    Aimsy’s Antics

  34. Its amazing that mediation started so long ago and yet it can still fit into our modern days lives. The benefits are amazing and definitely worth setting time aside for.

  35. Loved this insightful post! I’m getting back into meditation and learning more about it. I can’t believe there’s so many types of different meditations! And I agree, meditation is so beneficial even if it’s 5 minutes a day ☺️

  36. Thank you so much for sharing this, it’s really opened my eyes to the world of meditation. I’m a worrier so I do think I need to try and meditate when I’m feeling my most anxious. I’ve heard amazing things Xo

    Elle – ellegracedeveson.com

    1. Meditation is a great way to calm the mind a provide clarity. As a worrier, meditation could be a very powerful practice for you. It can help you sort through the worries with some detachment so that you are able to see them more clearly. Let me know how it goes.

  37. Thanks for writing such a detailed and useful post. I had no idea that there were that many forms of meditation.

    I’ve been wanting to do this for years but just procrastinated! Will keep a lookout for further posts.

    Amy Jane x

  38. Wow, I learned so much from this post – thank you! I do practice meditation through apps on my phone and try to go outside to do it when I can to have a nice quiet calm space. Back in my family home we had a fish pond and often my mum and I would sit out there and meditate. I didn’t know about all the different types so thank you for teaching me about that! Thanks for sharing.

  39. This is such an informative post, I learnt so much about meditation from reading it. I do practise meditation whenever I can and I find it helps me so much.

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